Blasphemy in a Firestorm

For two days, I literally ran back and forth between three brush fires. Three significant fires displaced thousands of people in my community (most are back in their homes, now), destroyed dozens of home, and consumed more than 100,000 acres of land, costing millions of taxpayer dollars, through the expenditure of first responder resources. Fortunately, and entirely by God’s sovereign grace, there has only been one life lost in our area as a result of the fires. (One is still too many. Pray for the family of the deceased.)

Everywhere we went, people lined the roads. Some were taking pictures and video. Some just watched the flames with their mouths agape and glazed looks in their eyes. Some people were just satisfying their curiosity. Others were too frightened to do anything else. Still others went about their lives—jogging, power-walking, cycling while wearing face masks to filter the dense smoke out of the air, all the while seeming to ignore the raging inferno and the very real danger all around them.

Critical incidents, such as wildfires, do not always bring out the best in people; but such incidents have a tendency to reveal the true nature of people’s hearts. I’ve seen and heard a lot during the last twenty years of service as a deputy sheriff and chaplain. But on Sunday night I heard something so defiantly blasphemous that it even took me by surprise.

My partner and I were at the Incident Command Post. We had just returned from assisting with evacuations in the Canyon Country area—an area where, tragically, a number of homes were consumed by the flames. Only minutes after we arrived at the CP, a deputy’s voice came over the radio. To the trained ear, you could hear the stress in his voice.

“CP, fire department says the fire is going to enter Hasley Canyon. We may have less than thirty minutes to evacuate the area. I need units ‘Code-3’ to Hasley Canyon!”

My partner and I jumped in our patrol car and rushed toward the fire. As we entered Hasley Canyon, my partner asked (half serious; half tongue-in-cheek), “Tony, do you think this is a good time to pray?”

I prayed.

As we made our way deeper into the canyon, what is otherwise a very dark canyon at night was as a bright as baseball stadium along the far rim of the canyon. But it wasn’t fluorescent bulbs lighting the darkness. It was flame. Flames leaping 100-200’ feet in the air illuminated the edges of massive, rising clouds of black smoke. The imagery was surreal and, at the same time, a stirring reminder of how terrible hell will be for those who spend eternity there.

We contacted other deputies and supervisors at a staging area, about halfway into the canyon. There, we were given our evacuation assignments. The first person we met was a young woman desperately trying to get her four horses out of harm’s way. She was cooperative and appreciative.

Hundreds of feet above us, atop a hill, we saw a huge mansion. We asked the young woman if she knew whether or not the people in that home had left the area. She said, “No. They are still up there.”

As we made our way up the long, winding, brick wall-lined, private driveway, I commented to my partner that it cost more to build the driveway then it cost to build my home. He agreed. When we reached the top, we found the homeowner standing at the edge of the hill, looking toward the burning canyon walls. From that vantage point, it appeared that the fire was following the ridge of the canyon and burning very quickly toward the man’s home.

“Sir, there is a mandatory evacuation of this area. You’re going to have to leave.” I said.

“No. I’m not leaving!” He barked.

“Sir, I know you can see the same fire we see. You do see how it is burning in this direction, don’t you? You need to leave.”

“No. I’m going to make sure those firemen do their job!” (As if he could do or say anything to make the brave firefighters do their job any better than they were already doing it. Yes, even to cops, firefighters are heroes.)

“They are going to do everything they can to protect your property. There’s nothing you can do to make them do their job better.”

“Well, I’m not leaving! I’m NOT leaving my home in the hands of God, tonight!”

“Sir, His hands are the hands you should trust, tonight!”

He mumbled something under his breath.

My partner and I made our way back down the driveway. “Wow!” My partner remarked.

He was as stunned by the man’s blasphemous comment as I was. Had there been time (and there wasn’t), I would have loved to take that man through the Law and the Gospel, while watching the fire burn closer to his home, his treasure, his god.

Once we checked for and advised residents in our assigned area, we were assigned to travel as far back into the canyon as possible. (That’s right—toward the fire.) Our job was to provide intelligence about the fire’s movement for the other deputy’s who were still making evacuation notices.

We sat with another unit for about an hour. The wind was such that the fire seemed to be changing direction every minute. Finally, the fire was within a few hundred yards of our patrol car. We watched as large embers were carried in our direction, by the wind. The embers wafted over our radio car and landed in the hills on the opposite side of the canyon. We knew it wouldn’t be long before the fire jumped the road and, with plenty of available fuel, continued to burn in a westward direction.

As we made predictions to one another about the fire’s track (without losing sight of the fact that we are cops—not firemen), a nearby tree exploded in flames. Within seconds, the entire hillside was engulfed.

My partner and I looked at each other, smiled, and at the same time said, “It’s time to go!”

No sooner did we begin to head out of the canyon when one of our sergeant’s yelled on the radio, “You guys need to get out of there! There’s a firestorm in the canyon!”

We both chuckled a bit before my partner got on the radio and calmly said, “Copy that. Umm, we see it.”

Within minutes, the area in which we sat monitoring the fire’s progress was consumed by the roaring flames.

I've heard the blasphemous proclamation of the man with the mansion on hill many times in my head, since Sunday night. It angers and saddens me at the same time. It angers me when anyone blasphemes my Lord and my God and otherwise holds Him in contempt. And it saddens me to think that unless a person (like the man at the mansion) repents and believes the gospel, their eternal destiny and existence will make this week's firestorms seem like a backyard barbecue.

God's Word is clear. "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain" (Exodus 20:7; see also Lev 19:12; Deut. 6:13).

If you have stumbled onto this blog and you do not already know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior--meaning you have never truly repented of your sins against God and received Jesus Christ, by faith alone, as your Lord and Savior, then maybe the above statements sound harsh to you. Maybe you think ascribing hell to a person because they've broken just one of the commandments is judgmental. Listen to what the Word of God says. "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all" (James 2:10).

Or maybe you would try to argue that you are not guilty of blasphemy, that you would never think of shaking your fist at God the way they man whose god was his possessions did. Good. But surely you would not assert that you are innocent of breaking any of God's Laws?

Have you ever lied? Have you ever stolen anything? Have you ever wanted something that didn't belong to you? Then, by your own admission, you are a lying, thieving, covetous person at heart. When you die, you will stand before Almighty God and He will judge you against His Law and according to His perfect, holy standard. He will find you guilty, and He will sentence you to eternity in hell, as the just punishment for your sins against Him.

The good news is that God doesn’t want to send you to hell. So, He sent His sinless Son, Jesus Christ—God in the flesh. He took upon himself the punishment you rightly deserve for your sins against God when He shed His innocent blood and died on the cross. Three days later, He defeated death when He rose from the grave. So, what must you do to be saved? Your only hope is to recognize that you cannot save yourself and escape God’s judgment. You must confess your sins against God, repent (turn away from your sins), and put your trust in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation.

Repent and place your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, right now. You will pass from death into life and receive the free gift of eternal life. Please consider these things carefully.

Fire Evacuee Brought to Tears (Behind the Scenes of WOTMR)

The courthouse was pretty quiet today. Most folks, unless they had to be in the civic center complex, probably stayed home--glued to their television sets and radios listening for up-to-date information regarding the several brush fires literally surrounding our valley. Sadly, others who stayed away from the civic center were possibly among the displaced--people who have been evacuated from their homes because one of the fires either came dangerously close to their homes or their homes were among those that were destroyed by the fire.

Nora was one of the people who had to be at court today. She was also an evacuee on Sunday night. The fire came within a few hundred yards of her home. One of her friends' home was closer still. Nora has not heard from her friend since Sunday night. Nora agreed to be our guest for the first hour of today's Way of the Master Radio broadcast. (Amanda, my 13-year-old daughter, served as my camera person. I share this because I will rarely approach a woman and engage her in conversation, unless I have another person with me--preferably another woman.)

Before putting Nora on the phone with Todd Friel, she told me she believed in a "higher power;" but she wasn't really sure what happens to a person after they die. Click here to listen to Nora's conversation with Todd.

I could tell from Nora's end of the phone conversation that she followed a very post-modern worldview. Everyone is right. Beliefs are more important than truth. No one can no anything with certainty. Etc, etc, etc.

After her conversation with Todd, I talked to Nora for a few minutes about her evacuation experience. As you will hear, I used that scary moment in her life to segue from the natural to the spiritual, in our conversation.

Nora remained steadfast in her post-modern perspective for a while. But then something happened. And it happened when we entered the courtroom analogy. When I asked her what she would think of a Stranger who came into the courtroom to pay her fine, she said, "I would be eternally grateful."

Tears formed in Nora's eyes as I explained to her that the Stranger who came into the courtroom represents Jesus Christ. (If you look closely at the picture to the left, you will see a tear falling from Nora's left eye.) To see this young woman's heart soften before my eyes almost brought me to tears, too. It was a very beautiful and tender moment.

Please click here to listen to my conversation with Nora.

Pray for her. Pray, by God's sovereign grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, that Nora will be drawn to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

What a wonderful day of fishing!

We All Can't Be Right

Recently, there was a change in leadership over the editorial section, of our local newspaper. In years past, the editor welcomed my responses to commentary that contained spiritual subject matter. It appears that the new leadership is open to anything--anything but the gospel. So, beginning with this post, whenever my local paper decides to print commentaries touting the "spirit of the age," I will continue to send my letters to the editor; and I will also post the articles and my responses, here.

The format of these editorial blog posts is simple. I will post the editorial or commentary in its entirety, which will be followed by my response. My responses will be limited to 300-400 words, as required by the local paper.

~~~~~

Your Truth May Not Look Like My Truth
Commentary by Phil Rizzo
Wednesday, October 3, 2007

What are the objectives of religion? It seems to me that inasmuch as it is our nature to be drawn to comfort, (joy, good feelings), and away from pain, (anxiety, anger, sadness), then it only follows that religion would be designed to add to our comfort and reduce our pain. There must be some reasons why so many people are drawn to religion, especially in the United States. It must bring some comfort to many. It must relieve pain.

What does religion provide that elevates its adherents and make their lives more joyful?-It creates a dogma or set of beliefs that promise to bring comfort either now or in the hereafter.

An adjunct to church, mosque or temple attendance is the social life it creates and the good feelings that may result from being with others of the same beliefs. It provides a place to promote joy through the celebration of marriage, rituals and deal with the evidence of death.

But religion's most poignant offering has to do with something deeper, more compelling: our relationships with others. We are called upon to care for, or better, love our fellow man. As we develop in our spiritual lives it becomes clear that loving is not always easy. Something gets in the way.

But to capture this reality according to some religions one must do something even harder: Wake up! Eastern teachings suggests that waking up, becoming more conscious of our thoughts and behavior, is what we may be here for. Accordingly, adherents need to monitor their thoughts and behavior, which ultimately will bring them comfort and true peace of mind. Christians, Jews and Mohammedans each have similar objectives, approached in their own unique ways.

So as one becomes more self-aware, he or she may acquire the wisdom that goes with it and enjoy a more meaningful life. One may chose to discard major tenets which seem irrational and substitute others that fit better as one advances on his or her spiritual path. Some become, in the pejorative, recovering examples of their former belief system, while others are born again into a new awareness that makes it possible to throw off the scourges of addiction. They may be physically or mentally healed.

Some beliefs are actually scary, and one would wonder why people cling to such bizarre schemes that seem to have nothing to do with making one a better, more comfortable, more loving person. Some find comfort in obeying rules from holy books. Some reject them.

Perhaps we are lulled into complacency and the appeal of easy answers. Most of us don't like to think about such things much, do we? Eastern teachings suggest that all the answers are within us. Christians find the Bible's answers in the words of Christ or luminaries of the Old Testament. Grace takes care of lapses in behavior or thought. Jews find comfort in the Torah. Mohammedans find direction in the Quran.

Roads to happiness come through leaps of faith for some - and for others, listening to what goes on inside the self and reflecting the good, the caring, the loving that permeate every atom in the universe waiting patiently to be called upon for its expression. But there are many spiritual roads to happiness, as the words from Sheri Reynold's book, A Gracious Plenty, poetically suggests:

Your truth may not look like mine, but that is not what matters.
What matters is this: You look at a scar and see hurt,
Or you can look at a scar and see healing.

Phil Rizzo is a Santa Clarita resident. His column reflects his own views and not necessarily those of The Signal.

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We All Can’t Be Right
Written in response to Phil Rizzo’s October 3 column, “Your Truth May Not Look Like Mine”

Contrary to Mr. Rizzo’s thesis, God is not a pluralist. God is not ecumenical. God’s tolerance has limits. While God is gracious, merciful and kind, His tolerance will come to an end. “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31).

Jesus did not believe as Mr. Rizzo believes. Jesus did not believe in the humanistic, relativist adage “your truth is your truth and my truth is my truth.” Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). Jesus was not a pluralist or an ecumenicist.

You are just like me, Mr. Rizzo. You have broken God’s Law and sinned against Him. It doesn’t matter whether or not you believe it. What matters is whether or not it is true. Your only hope is to repent and, by faith, receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior—the one who took upon Himself the punishment you and I deserve for breaking His Law when He shed His innocent blood on the cross, and defeated death when He rose from the dead. The truth is this. “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey they Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).

If what I’ve shared with you, Mr. Rizzo, isn’t true, then it will mean nothing to you in eternity. But if what I’ve shared with you is true, then your eternal destination hangs in the balance; and I don’t want you to spend eternity in hell. I hope you will consider these things.

The Lawman, The Lawbreaker, and The Law

I spent the morning at my favorite fishing hole--the Santa Clarita Superior Courthouse. I sat down on a bench and began to pray. Here is the entry in my prayer journal:

Friday, October 19, 2007 (0840) -- Courthouse
"Lord, I thank You for today. Thank You for allowing me to be here. Father, help me to set aside any and all fear. Replace it with a love for the lost so great that I can do nothing else but share the gospel. Give me spiritual eyes to see and spiritual ears to hear. Lord, allow me, by Your grace, to speak the truth in love to anyone who will listen."

Then I sat, watched, and listened. My eyes and ears were drawn to a particular young man. He was dressed "gangster-style" (although dress is no longer a definite indicator of gang involvement). He asked another young man for a cigarette, and the two began to talk to each other. I heard the young man I was watching mention several people by name--by gang monikers.

After a few minutes, the young man walked away, toward the parking lot. I watched him as he stood looking into the parking lot, making a cell phone call. It looked like he was waiting for a ride.

I got up off the bench and walked toward the young man. "He's the one." I thought.

"Hi. How are you doing, today?" I asked.

With an obvious look of suspicion, the young man said, "Fine."

I introduced myself and learned the young man's name was Fred. I explained to Fred that I was conducting interviews with people that might be used on Way of the Master Radio. I asked Fred if I could interview him, basing our conversation upon two questions: Would you consider yourself to be a good person? And, what do you think happens to a person when they die.?

Fred agreed to do the interview. Click here to listen to what happened next. It's just amazing!

Fred was proud and self-righteous when the conversation began. But not so by the end of the conversation. Fred and I talked for another 15 minutes, after I turned off the recorder.

We shook hands and said good-bye. As I walked away, Fred called out to me. "This means we're friends, now; doesn't it?"

"Yes, it does! You have my number (I had given him a couple of my gospel tracts). If you have any questions give me a call."

"I will! God bless you!"

"God bless you, too, Fred!"

The Lord answered my prayer, displaying His sovereignty, grace, and awesome power in the process. Thank You, Lord!

I hope you will take the time to listen to the audio. My hope is that it will both encourage and challenge you.

Pray for Fred. Pray that the Lord will draw Him to genuine repentance and faith, and save his life. All for the glory of God!

Meet My Assistant.....Wade

It's not always easy to find a partner for evangelism. Well, today the Lord blessed me with, shall we say, an unusual partner. I would like you to meet Wade--Wade the Duck. Look: I know some of you who are faithful readers of The Centurion Papers think that 1) I might need to get a grip; or 2) I might be holding on too tight. But, before you cry foul (or should I say "fowl"), let me explain.

I live in a homeowners' association that includes a small lake, nestled in the center of our condominium complex. For years, the lake was referred to as "the moat." It was often covered in algae, which caused it to stink. The fountains never worked, and it was not, well, teeming with life (at least not above the size of bacteria).

Well, over the last several years, the HOA Board of Directors has done a great job taking our little lake from serving as a CDC project, to a thriving ecosystem. We now have water fowl of various kinds, turtles, fish, squirrels, and other birds that call our lake home. No, I haven't gone completely green. Relax. :-)

Lately, I have taken to spending my prayer and Bible reading time at lakeside. The sound of the fountains and critters, along with the beauty of God's creation and the fresh air that He provides (yes, even in southern California), makes the lake a peaceful place to pray and read that is void of many of the typical distractions.

That was the plan for this afternoon. After a busy day of blogging and doing other things, and wanting to catch my breath before the evening's Bible study at church, I went to my spot at the lake--just me, my lawn chair, my Bible, prayer journal, and gospel tracts (just in case).

I had hoped that a certain lady would walk by. She lives in our condo community and I see her walk by often, as I'm reading. The other day, she stopped and said hello. Then she offered me a Book of Mormon. I politely declined the offer, then.....nothing. That's right. I completely blew it. It was as if the Lord had tossed me a pitch in a slow-pitch softball game and I totally whiffed. (Did I, like, just use the word "totally?" Like, I can't believe it. But I digress.) I missed a perfect opportunity to engage the lady in spiritual conversation.

I got myself situated and opened my Bible. Within a few minutes, I noticed two young people (late teens, early twenties) walking around the lake, and heading in my direction. They stopped several feet away from me so they could look at the ducks.

Enter Wade.

The young lady told the young man that she wanted the white duck. She began to make observations about the duck's plumage, which was distinctly different from that of the mallard ducks in the area.

"His name is Wade." I told them. "He's a domesticated duck."

"He's a what?" She asked.

"He's a domesticated duck. You know, the kind of duck you might find on a farm. Someone dumped him in the lake several years ago. One of my neighbors gave him the name 'Wade,' and it kind of stuck."

"So, I can take him!" She said with sarcastic excitement in her voice.

"Umm, well, I can't tell you what to do; but I think Wade likes it here."

"How do you know Wade is a he?"

"We're not that close. I don't know for sure that Wade is a he."

"How can you tell if he is a he or a she."

"Like I said, we're not that close. I don't know how to tell the difference."

The two looked at the ducks for a couple more minutes. As they started to walk by me, as if the were leaving, I said, "You may not get to keep Wade, but I have something you probably want more than Wade."

I reached into my shirt pocket and removed two Million Dollar Bill gospel tracts. "Here's a million dollars."

"Now I can buy Wade!" She said with a giggle.

"Umm, I don't think that duck is worth a million dollars. I don't think it will be laying any golden eggs anytime, soon."

They both laughed. I introduced myself and I learned that their names were Jessica and Barry. Jessica has lived in my condo community for a couple of years, but I had never seen her before. Barry was one of Jessica's friends from high school who was just hanging out with her.

"Jessica, let me ask you this. What if that was a real million dollar bill and I said you could have it if you gave me one of your eyes, for scientific research. I would give you a very nice, glass eye to replace the one you give me, but you wouldn't be able to see out of it. Would you sell me your eye for a million dollars?"

"No. I have pretty eyes. I love my eyes."

"What if I offered you five million dollars for both of your eyes. You would be very rich, but blind as a bat. Would you do it?"

"No way."

"So, your eyes are precious to you?"

"Yes."

"Well, then, let me ask you this. If your eyes are precious to you, shouldn't your soul, which will live forever, be even more precious to you?

That began an hour-long spiritual conversation in which I had the blessing of presenting Jessica and Barry with the Law and the Gospel. Several minutes into the conversation, Barry took a seat on a nearby rock and Jessica made herself comfortable on the sidewalk.

Along the way, I learned that Barry is studying Chinese at our local community college, with the hope of one-day living and working in China. He was born and raised in a small Georgia community, with a vast civil war-era history. I learned that Jessica, born and raised in our city, plans to go to cosmetology school, someday. We talked about their plans, the ups and downs in their lives, the Bible, heaven, hell, judgment, wrath, the Law, grace, forgiveness, and the Gospel. I even read to them from my Bible.

We had never met before our conversation by the lake. We may never see each other again. But we talked as though we had been friends for years. No arguing. No fighting. There was laughter, light-hearted banter, friendly disagreement, understanding, and seriousness.

It only takes a minute to establish rapport (a relationship) with a person--even total strangers (like Barry and Jessica). All you have to do is care more about the person with whom you want to share the gospel than you care about what that person will think of you if you do share the gospel with them.

All you have to do is love the person more than you fear his or her possible reaction to the Law and the Gospel.

All you have to do is place a higher value on compassion for a lost person than you place on your personal comfort, or even your safety.

All you have to do is want the person to go to heaven more than you want the person to like you.

All you have to do is speak the truth in love (see Eph. 4:15).

Is it always easy? No. But if it was always easy, it wouldn't require faith. And without faith it is impossible to please God (see Heb. 11:6).

Can it be scary, at times? Sure. But your love for Christ and your love for the lost will cast out those fears (see 1 John 4:15-21) and give you the boldness (see Acts 4:13) and compassion (see Matt. 9:36-38; Phil. 2:1-2; Gal. 3:12) to share the Law and the gospel with those who are lost and bound for hell--whether they are friends, family, co-workers, or complete strangers.

Come on, Christian. You can do this. I know you can! If you love Jesus you will tell others about Jesus and the way to eternal life that only He can provide (see Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 14:15; Acts 4:18-20; 1 Cor. 9:16).

Please visit The Way of The Master if you would like to learn how to effectively and, more importantly, biblically share your faith. And please visit Adventures in Christianity if you would like to talk to and learn from other Christians, from around the world, who engage in biblical evangelism as a way of life.

Please pray for Barry and Jessica. Pray that they will, by the sovereignty and grace of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit, come to genuine repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Behind the Scenes of Way of the Master Radio (10-16-07)

Due to technical difficulties, which made me rather cranky, and resulted in the purchase of a new digital recorder, I have no audio for my follow-up interview, from today's WOTMR show.

I'm all better now. :-)

Marissa and I went to our regular fishing pond, the Santa Clarita Superior Courthouse. Our guest for the first hour of the show was Mandy. Mandy was at the courthouse with her husband (or boyfriend), Robert, and her 8-month-old son, Anthony.

Robert and Mandy debated who would be on the show. Robert conveniently excused himself to use the restroom just moments before we went on the air. So, that left Mandy to talk to Ray, on the phone.

Side note: much goes on behind the scenes that never makes it to the ears of our "ten-and-tens of listeners." One thing that hasn't made it on air (although I think it might, someday), is a game Todd and I have been playing for the last several days. The name of the game is "Get An Old Song Stuck In Your Friend's Head So That They Hum or Sing It For Hours." :-)

Todd took the offensive today when I told him that the name of our guest was Mandy. Those of you as old as me and Todd will likely remember Barry Manilow's first hit by the same name--"Mandy." Somehow, Todd managed to work the lyric "She came and she gave without takin'" into a sentence. Since there are no rules to this game, I could not throw a penalty flag. He got me. But I'll be back. ;->

Before I put Mandy on the phone with Ray, she told me that she has a Catholic background, upon which she has built (imagined) a belief system in which everyone goes to heaven, or a person's spirit remains here, on earth, in whatever form they so choose.

Once I put Mandy on the phone, it didn't take long for her demeanor to sour. Can you hear it in her voice. Click here to listen to Mandy's conversation with Ray.

After her conversation with Ray, I spent a few minutes talking to Mandy. As I do with each of our guests, the first thing I asked her was, "So, how did it go?"

"Umm, it went fine." (Do you believe her? Look at her picture, above.)

I told Mandy that by the look on her face and her tone of voice, it didn't seem like the conversation went "fine."

Mandy said that everyone has different beliefs and it's okay to lie if you are doing it to save another person's life or you're trying to do good.

I asked Mandy if beliefs were more important than truth. She said, "Beliefs. Because the more you believe, the more you get in life. The less you believe, the less you get in life."

My poor daughters. Every time someone makes the assertions that Mandy made, whichever one of my daughters is with me becomes my son, John. I asked Mandy if I believed with all my heart that Marissa was my son, John, would she ever be my son.

While Mandy conceded that, in the case of my daughter truth was more important than belief, she insisted that if she believes in God, believes she is a good person, and goes to church, then when she faces God, He is going to say, "Yeah, you believed in Me." And that would get her into heaven.

I then took Mandy into the courtroom. "Mandy, let's say you were here at court today because you broke the law. You're guilty. The evidence is there and you confess to the crime. When you stand before the judge for sentencing, do you think it would matter at all if you told the judge, 'I don't believe you are going to sentence me.'"

She agreed that if she "did the crime" she should "do the time." But then she jumped right back into self-righteous mode and said, "The only way God won't let someone into heaven is if they are a mass murderer or a rapist of children. But if you're a good person, with a good soul, mind, and being you're going to go to heaven."

I asked Mandy if she had ever been angry with someone.

"Everyone gets angry." She said--once again deflecting responsibility away from herself. While she wouldn't admit to saying she ever hated someone, she did admit to harboring bitterness and calling someone a fool. I took her to God's Word, explaining to her that such feelings of animosity are considered by God to be murderous and deserving of hell.

"Yeah, but if that's the standard, then everyone is going to hell." She retorted.

"Well, it's not that everyone is going to hell. It's that everyone deserves to go to hell--including me." I answered. "If God judges us according to His standard, then everyone false short of that standard.

Even though Mandy was not at all humbled by the Law (at least not outwardly), I took her back to the courtroom and presented the gospel to her. One reason I did so is because Robert was standing nearby, holding Anthony, and listening to every word being said. While the Law appeared to have no visible affect on Mandy, maybe it was making an impression on Robert.

I found it fascinating that Mandy seemed to really squirm when I began to talk about the sacrifice of Christ. She repeatedly looked at Robert, as if she was hoping he would step in or at least pull her away from the conversation.

The conversation ended with me explaining to Mandy that if there was anything we could do to save ourselves, or if we could be good enough to earn or deserve heaven, then it makes no sense for Jesus, God in the flesh, to die a horrible death on the cross. If we could get there on our own, then why did God have to die in our place?

She said that made sense, but I could tell she was still clinging to her own perceived goodness.

I gave Mandy and Robert copies of the Hollywood and God DVD and the Jump or Perish tract.

I had a lady named Amanda line up for the second hour of the show. Before handing her the phone, I shared a "Cop Tale" with Todd and Ray. I used an incident in which me and my partners made an arrest of a heinous murderer as he walked our of a Mormon stake, following a memorial service. Now, that's something you don't get to do every day. ;-)

I used the story to segue into a conversation about the tares among the wheat. Click here to listen to the "Cop Tale" and the ensuing conversation.

Unfortunately, as I was sharing the story, Marissa ran up to me and whispered, "She had to go!" Amanda had a change of heart and walked into the courtroom. Oh, well. Sometimes you can get a fish right up to the shore, before it snaps your line and gets away.

It was still a good day of fishing. :-)

"Need Directions?"

Today's evangelism did not go at all as planned. PRAISE GOD!!

My community has once again made the national news. Late last night a horrendous traffic collision occurred on the I-5 (Golden State) Freeway. At least 6 big rigs and an unknown number of passenger vehicles collided inside a truck route tunnel. Explosions and the subsequent fire has left the integrity of the freeway over-crossing in question. Sadly, two truck drivers were killed--their bodies burned beyond recognition. Another ten motorists were injured. It is still unknown, almost 20 hours after the crash, if anyone else perished in the flames. Due to the heat and crumbling concrete, firefighters have yet to make their way through the tunnel to clear the wreckage and recover any bodies that may still be inside.

Southern California freeways are a nightmare on a good traffic day. The I-5 Freeway is the primary freeway from the California-Mexico border, to the Washington-Canada border. All lanes on both sides of the freeway remain closed, due to the collision and fire. Traffic in town was reminiscent of the weeks following the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, when the freeways in our area collapsed.

The plan for the day was to attend our community's annual Home and Business Expo, at our local community college. I got to the expo early to do a little recon (size of crowd, security presence, etc). As I sat in my car, I watched a truck pull into the parking lot. The occupants were a man and a woman. The man was driving. He pulled out a map book. It was obvious to me that they were lost and trying to find their way around the freeway closure.

I got out of my car and approached the truck, waving my hand to say hello. The man rolled down the window.

"Are you trying to get around the freeway closure?" I asked.

"Yes." He answered.

"Let me help you." I said.

I gave them directions. They were very grateful and quickly got back on the road.

I walked back into my car. As I sat down, I noticed another car filled with "lost" souls pull into the parking lot. This time the occupants received million-dollar bills, along with directions.

Then the light bulb went on. :-)

I called my brother-in-law and asked him to stop by the store on his way to the expo and buy several cases of small bottles of water. I drove back to my office, grabbed my easel, a large pad of paper, and sharpie pens, and drove back to the expo.

Once my brother-in-law, nieces, and nephews arrived, I set-up the easel on the sidewalk facing the street, at the entrance to the parking lot. (My nephew, Jay, is standing next to the easel, in the above photo.) For the next four hours we waved at passing motorists, drawing their attention to the sign. We went through three cases of water and a bunch of gospel tracts, as we provided directions, water, and the gospel to motorists trying to find their way.

God is sovereign, in all things! While I wish the tragedy on the freeway did not happen, I give praise and thanks to God for allowing good to come out of the smoke and flames (Romans 8:28). And the good was that many people who were forced off the freeway, received something else they were not expecting--the Law and the Gospel.

To God, and God alone, be all the glory!!

The Sovereignty of God in Adoption

"And I will be a father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to Me," says the Lord God Almighty. ~ 2 Corinthians 6:18

The dapper, young man in the photo is my nephew. He will turn four next month. His first name is Jay. I took this photo of Jay shortly before he, his new family, and many of his new relatives entered a courtroom. Jay walked into the courtroom a Ugandan orphan being loved and cared for by an American family. Jay left the courtroom a member of the family, the son of Ian and Cheryl Pari, and forever afforded all of the rights and privileges of a natural born son. His adoption was complete, affirmed, sealed, and secured.

Jay is the fifth of five children. He has two older sisters (from Liberia) who are also adopted. And he has an older brother and sister who are Ian and Cheryl's natural born children.

Jay's former name was Jay Amani. Jay was abandoned on the side of the road, in Jinja, Uganda, when he was about two weeks old. The police found him and took him to the hospital. A social worker at the hospital asked the Amani Baby Cottage to care for him. The name of the orphanage served as his last name. Jay's new and complete name is Jay Joseph Askari Pari.

Click here to listen to Jay say his name. And pay particular attention to the genuine enthusiasm and authentic joy in this little child's voice. He is very proud of and very thankful for his new name.

The blessing of being in the courtroom and sharing in that beautiful moment when Jay received his new name reminded me of the sovereignty of God, as seen in His adoption of those He has drawn to Himself, extending to each of them the free gift of eternal life only He can give, as a result of the beautiful "Doctrine of Grace"--Election.

Jay's adoption process began almost two years ago when his adoptive parents chose him to be their child. As a toddler, Jay was utterly incapable of initiating the adoption process. His desire to be adopted, to have a family of his own (to the extent a two-year-old can have such a desire), held no bearing in his subsequent adoption. What orphan does not want to be adopted? Yet how many are never adopted? The child does not decide to be adopted. It is the loving adoptive parents that choose to adopt the child.

How amazing is God's grace! Just as my sister and brother-in-law chose Jay to be their son, so too has Almighty God chosen to be the Father of those He sovereignly saves from His holy wrath. God, so merciful and gracious and loving and kind, sovereignly chose to redeem His children who were once pinned under the curse of the Law. "So that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God" (Galatians 4:5-7).

It is the will of the parents, not the will of the child that results in adoption. Likewise, it is the sovereign will of God, not the will of sinful man that results in the adoption of those who repent and believe the gospel. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:12-13).

"For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:14-16).

My sister and brother-in-law extended loving grace to Jay when they adopted him. Jay never sought them out. They flew halfway around the world seeking to make this precious child one of their own children. Jay was adopted solely because of the kind intention of his adoptive parents. Such is the kind intention of Almighty God. "He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved . . . Also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to his purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will" (Ephesians 1:5-6, 11).

Yes, how beautiful and awesome is the grace of God! How blessed are those who are known to Him as sons and daughters! And how loving it is that God the Father chose to make adoption possible for those whom he sovereignly chooses, through the sacrificial death and resurrection of His only Son, Jesus Christ the Lord.

"For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, 'I will proclaim your name to My brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise.' And again, 'I will put My trust in Him.' And again, 'Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.' Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives" (Hebrews 2:10-15).

Little "J.J." cherishes his new name. The orphanage that was once his home is but a fleeting memory. With the help of his parents (he could not do it on his own), Jay has left the orphanage behind in exchange for a new home and a new hope, and new promises. Jay says his name with such enthusiasm because he not only believes it is his name. He knows it is his name. He has been told so by his parents.

Oh, what an eternal blessing it is to have the kind of joy, hope, confident assurance, and faith this little boy has in his new life and his new name when one thinks of their relationship with Almighty God. Yes, such a relationship is possible. But it is only possible through genuine repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Apart from the wonder-working, grace-filled, loving, saving, and sovereign work of God, you are a spiritual orphan. There is absolutely nothing you can do to earn, deserve, or orchestrate your adoption as one of God's children.

It might help you come to terms with this reality if you take a moment to see yourself as God sees you--not as you see yourself. Most people see themselves as good and worthy of God's love, forgiveness, and, yes, even adoption. But are you good in God's eyes? Take this simple test and see if you are, in fact, a good person.

Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything? Have you ever taken God’s name in vain? Then according to God’s Law (The Ten Commandments), and by your own admission, you are a lying, thieving, blasphemer at heart. Does that sound like a good person?

If God judges you according the perfect standard of His Law, He will find you guilty and sentence you to eternity in hell, which is the just punishment for your sins against Him. But there is good news. God doesn’t want to send you to hell. So, He sent His sinless Son, Jesus Christ—God in the flesh. He took upon himself the punishment you rightly deserve for your sins against God when He shed His innocent blood and died on the cross. Three days later, He defeated death when He rose from the grave.

So, what must you do to be saved? You must recognize that you cannot save yourself or escape God’s judgment. You can no more demand to be adopted as a child of God then Jay could demand to be adopted as a child in the Pari Family. Jay did not earn or deserve adoption by his parents. Likewise, you cannot earn or deserve your adoption by the God who gave you life.

You must confess your sins against God, repent (turn away from your sins), and put your trust in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. Your only hope is to receive the free gift of eternal life, which is given by the grace of God alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. Then, and only then, will this be true about you. "'And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,' says the Lord Almighty" (2 Corinthians 6:18).

They're Here! (Tracts Are Now Available)

They're here! Go to EvangelismTeam.com and order yours today.

"I See Dead People" is based on the famous scene from the movie, The Sixth Sense. This tract will be great to stuff into the bags of the trick-or-treaters that come to your door on Halloween night.

"Avoid Identity Theft" gives several real and practical tips for avoiding becoming the victim of identity theft--one of the fastest growing crimes around the world. The devious-looking character on the front of the tract makes this tract another one you can use this Halloween.

Both tracts will be effective evangelism tools year-round. The artwork on these tracts, courtesy of Alex Persegona, is wonderful. They are so eye-catching that people will want to take them out of your hands.

Order yours today!

Pastor, Are We All On The Same Team?

Recently, I met with a local pastor. He wanted to discuss the recent letter I wrote to another local pastor regarding the content of the pastor’s sermon. The conversation began with a hug, and ended with a hug. I appreciate this brother in Christ for caring enough about me to meet with me to express and discuss his concerns over the tone of the letter. While we agreed to disagree, the conversation was good and, I think, fruitful.

Since that conversation, however, something my pastor-friend said has sounded in my mind, over and over again. During our conversation, when referring to the pastor to whom I wrote the letter, my pastor-friend said, “We’re all on the same team.”

I’ve thought about that statement for several days. “We’re all on the same team.” I can agree with the statement, but only if it is qualified.

Although one church is mentioned (not by name) later in this article, what follows is directed to all pastors, churches, and ministry workers--not one particular pastor, church, or ministry.

Are we all on the same team?

If you are a pastor and you believe the one, true gospel (and there , is only one true gospel), as articulated in Scripture, then we are on the same team.

If you have truly repented of your sin and received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior—by the grace of God alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, then we are on the same team.

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (2 Tim. 4:1-2). Pastor, if this describes you and your ministry, then we are on the same team.

But if you are teaching, preaching, supporting, furthering, or sharing a different gospel (regardless of what you might say you believe), we are not on the same team.

If you do not see the proclamation of the gospel as the primary and urgent goal of every church event and activity that touches the unsaved in this world, then we are not on the same team.

If you do not see the primary function and very existence of the Church to be the glorification of God and the furtherance of His Gospel, then we are not on the same team.

If you are afraid that preaching the truth of God’s Word might scare unbelievers away from the church, or you try to disguise or make apologies for the Word of God, or you mishandle the Word of God in order to further your own agenda or any man-centered philosophy of ministry, then we are not on the same team.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). If you are the pastor that the type of person mentioned in this passage is looking for, then we are not on the same team.

“Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds” (2 John 9-11). If you are the kind of pastor described in this passage, then we are not on the same team.

“Love people in such a way that they will think you’re really cool and that you’re just like them. Then invite them to church where they will become part of our community. If all goes according to plan, we’ll have lots of people, and someday we’ll get to build a bigger church where we can accommodate and entertain more people who really, really like us. And maybe, just maybe, they will somehow find out about this Jesus we mention—a Jesus who is just like us.” If this is the message you preach, if this is the message you believe, and/or this summarizes your philosophy of ministry then we are not on the same team.

Oh, what rank heresies are being taught in American churches today—heresies that are being propagated to lost people as the gospel of Jesus Christ! Sadly, and tragically, there are more blind guides leading more blind people than ever before.

If some or all of the preceding paragraphs regarding the teams to which I cannot and will not belong describe you and/or your ministry, then you must do what the Scripture commands. “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves” (2 Cor. 13:5)! You see, if this is you, then the issue is not whether or not we are on the same team. No, the issue is much bigger and graver than that. The issue is whether or not you are saved. Repent and believe the gospel!

How can you say that? Now, you’ve crossed the line! You might be thinking. I don’t think so—not with so many pastors setting aside essential doctrine in order to chase after the false doctrines of some of the false teachers of the Seeker and Emergent Church movements.

A man (or woman) is not saved simply because they step into a pulpit, or because they lead a popular para-church ministry, or because they have written a book that millions of unsaved people and undiscerning saved people love. And the pulpit, or popular ministry leadership position, or the acceptance of publishing houses that are willing to compromise the truth are not barriers behind which pastors and other Christians can hide from accountability.

Why am I writing this? Why now? The reason is this. Contrary to what my pastor-friend asserted, we are not all on the same team. The mere fact that a pastor or a church is included by many in the evangelical community, or the mere fact that some research group lumps everyone into the same evangelical pot, does not mean we are all on the same team.

Here’s one reason why I can make such a dogmatic and, I’m sure to some, such a divisive assertion.

My heart was grieved Monday morning as I read the front page of a newspaper. My heart was grieved for two reasons: 1) Six young people were brutally murdered and another was seriously injured by a young, deputy sheriff who snapped and gunned down the victims before wounding an officer, and before he took his own life during a shoot-out with fellow officers; and 2) a church in southern California completely missed an opportunity to share the Law and the Gospel with more than a hundred young people. Two tragedies in two different parts of the country took place on the same day. One resulted in the physical death of several people. The other resulted in a church’s failure to prepare lost people for physical and spiritual death, and eternity.

Lindsey Stahl, Bradley Shultz, Jordanne Murray, Katrina McCorkle, Leanna Thomas, Aaron Smith, Charlie Neitzel, and Tyler Peterson had gathered in an apartment, about a block or so outside of downtown Crandon, WI. The purpose of the gathering was to enjoy an evening of pizza and movies, in celebration of Homecoming Weekend, at the local high school.

According to preliminary news reports, an argument took place between Peterson (a deputy sheriff with the Forest County Sheriff’s Office and a part-time officer with the Crandon Police Department) and others at the party. Jealousy appears to be the reason for the argument. Peterson left the apartment only to return later with an AR-15 assault rifle. He forced his way into the apartment and fired 30 rounds from the rifle, into the bodies of the people in the room. Charlie Neitzel was the lone survivor.

While I do not presume to know the spiritual condition of any of the victims (And my hope is that they are all in the presence of the Lord), the likelihood is that at least some of the victims tragically left this world only to find themselves standing before Almighty God and hearing the words, “I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.” The very tragic and heartbreaking reality is that at least some of the victims of the massacre in Crandon will likely spend eternity in hell because they never turned from their sin and received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Some 2,200 miles away from Crandon, WI, in southern California, more than one hundred people the same age as those murdered in Crandon gathered for a church sponsored “outreach event.” Assuming he was quoted accurately (and it’s certainly possible he wasn’t quoted accurately), the student ministry pastor of the church described the purpose of the event this way.

“We just wanted to do something that would appeal to high school students and every kid that loves rock music . . . We want them to know God loves them for who they are, and God’s arms are wide open to them . . . We want them to realize that church may not be what they think. We’re trying to break stereotypes . . . They don’t have to come here and sit here bored listening to a long speech. We want them to come to church to experience something cool.”

Is there anything inherently wrong with organizing an event that will draw unsaved young people to a gathering place? No. I do it all the time, on a smaller scale, when I open-air preach. Is there anything wrong with playing music, providing a place for kids to skate, or even giving suburban kids an opportunity to experience some faux bull-riding? No.

So what’s the problem?

Call it what you like, but without the gospel, an “outreach event” is anything but outreach. Without the gospel, it is not evangelism. Without the gospel, at best, it is a spiritual swing and a miss. At worst, it is man’s effort to please man, while disguising the effort as Christian ministry.

What if the tragedy in Crandon happened in the community where the “outreach event” took place? What if it happened in your community? What if Lindsey, Bradley, Jordanne, Katrina, Leanna, Charlie, and, yes, even Tyler had attended the “outreach event” before their lives so tragically came to an end? Sadly, it would appear that no one at the “outreach event” would have cared enough about them to warn them about God’s pending wrath and their only hope for escape—repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Oh, I have no doubt that the organizers of the event would say that they did what they did, the way they did it, because they love young people. But I don’t believe it. Why? I don’t believe it because the one thing they could have done, the one thing they should have done to love the young people in attendance, was the one thing they intentionally did not do. They did not love them enough to tell them the truth. In the end, the organizers of the event were more concerned with what the attendees thought about themselves and what they thought about the church, than where the unsaved attendees would spend eternity.

Am I saying that the youth pastor whose church hosted the “outreach event” is responsible for the eternal destiny of anyone who attended the event, or who sits under his ministry? No; not at all. “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy” (James 4:12a). This pastor, this church, just like me, cannot save or condemn anyone.

But I will say that if the Crandon tragedy had taken place in his community, and those kids had spent some time at the “outreach event” before heading home to be murdered, their blood would be on the hands of that pastor, the church, and any other Christian who, at some time, had the opportunity to share the Law and the Gospel with those kids, but failed to do so.

There was a time earlier in my Christian walk when their blood would have been on my hands.

150,000 people die every day—some tragically and suddenly like the young people in Crandon. Mentioning this is not a scare tactic. It is simply the reality of the world and times in which we live.

Pastor, I beg you. Please listen to me. Your greatest concern for lost people must be where they will spend eternity—not whether or not they think you or your church is “cool.” You should not want to see anyone go to hell. So, pastor, the most loving thing you can do for the lost is share the only message that can save their life—the Gospel. Your ability to get the unsaved to like you (or like themselves more) will not save them. Only the Gospel carries with it the power of God to save anyone’s life (Rom. 1:16).

I hope and pray that pastors and churches will come to repentance—that they will repent of this sin of claiming to love lost people while intentionally refusing to bring lost people the only truth, the only message that can save them from eternity in hell—the Law and the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I hope and pray that pastors and churches will come to repentance—that they will repent of their adherence (as reflected in their actions) to the unbiblical notion that the Word of God is not as powerful as their man-centered messages and man-pleasing methods.

I hope and pray that pastors and churches will come to repentance—that they will repent of having as their ultimate goal the filling of the church with unsaved people, without any true concern (again, as reflected by their actions) about where unsaved people will spend eternity.

To any pastor who happens to read this article: I do want us to be on the same team. I want to support your efforts to bring the Law and the Gospel to a lost and dying world. I want to work with you to uphold and defend the truth of God’s Word from all enemies—inside or outside the church. So if you’re not preaching the Gospel, please, repent and get on the only team that matters—God’s team. Those of us who are preaching the Gospel need your help.

Behind the Scenes of Way of the Master Radio (10-09-07)

With all the travel I've been doing lately, and with the WOTM Team's recent trip to Europe, it's been a month since I did any "Street Fishing" for Way of the Master Radio. Oh, the Lord has blessed me with many evangelism opportunities during the last month (one-to-one conversations, open-air preaching, and proclaiming the gospel in churches and community events). But I've missed hanging out with Ray, Kirk, and Todd on the show. So, it was great to head back to my local courthouse today. It has become my favorite WOTMR "Street Fishing" pond. There are rarely lots of people outside the courthouse, but the fish always seem to be biting, with the Lord providing wonderful conversations. Today was no different.

Pictured above is Maritza. She was our guest during the first hour of the show. Take a good look at her face. She's happy and enjoying the conversation.

But check out the look on her face in the picture below. Notice the change in expression? Maritza isn't angry. She's concerned. She's concerned because she is, at that moment, being brought to the realization that her beliefs about God, up to that point, were wrong. (Yes, it is okay to lovingly and gently tell people they are wrong.) She is looking at herself through the mirror of God's Law, and what she sees is giving her cause for concern. Praise God!

What you see in the picture is the Law accomplishing in Maritza's heart and mind what most modern evangelism methods and messages cannot accomplish--a piercing of the heart, through conviction of sin. The Law of God, the Word of God, is doing exactly what Scripture says it will do. "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joint and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

Rightly and lovingly applied, the Law of God is never used on or against the unbeliever like a machete cutting through a jungle. Rather, when rightly and lovingly applied, the Law of God is like a scalpel in the hands of surgeon who truly cares about the well-being of his or her patient.

The Law of God is what makes a person aware of their sins against Almighty God (Romans 7:7). And the gospel, and the gospel alone, has the power to bring an unsaved person to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16). Sadly more and more churches (and individual Christians) these days are operating with powerless and ineffective tools under the auspices of evangelism and outreach. They have set aside that which God has provided (namely the Law and the Gospel), and have carelessly exchanged that which is living, active, sharp, and piercing with that which is dead and impotent (namely man-centered messages and man-pleasing methods).

Click here to listen to Todd's conversation with Maritza. Click here to listen to my follow-up conversation with Maritza. Pray that the seeds planted, today, in Maritza's heart and mind will bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance--by the power of the Holy Spirit.

When those of us who do the "Street Fishing" segments for WOTMR hit the streets, we engaged more people in conversation than those you hear on the radio. Not everyone wants to be on the radio. And we often begin the evangelism before the show starts, and continue the evangelism after the show is over. Take today, for instance.

I got to the courthouse a couple of hours before the show. I gave away several million dollars and a few challenge coins. I was also blessed to have a very nice conversation with a young lady named Marquita. Marquita was at the courthouse with her boyfriend, who was in court for some traffic tickets. With Marquita was her 5-month-old (and adorable) son, Aiden.

Marquita told me she use to be a Christian, but gave up the religion because, in her mind, there were too many holes in the story. Click here to listen to my conversation with Marquita. Pray that the Lord would draw her to repentance and genuine faith.

It was another great day of fishing! :-)

Why the Cross is Foolishness to Those Who are Perishing

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God . . . The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 1:18; 2:14).

Earlier today, a brother in Christ from Tennessee, who hangs out at Adventures in Christianity (one of my favorite websites), shared an article from the October 3 edition of The All State newspaper, which is the student paper for Austin Peay State University. The article, written by staff writer Erin McAteer, appeared in the “Perspectives” section of the newspaper. I am going to share her article, in its entirety (minus a few instances of profanity). Please take time to read it. It serves as a sad, but important example of why modern evangelism methods just don’t work. It illustrates why talking to people about the love of God, without first explaining to people the consequences for violating the Law of God, makes the message of the cross appear as little more than foolishness, and even offense.

Before sharing Ms. McAteer’s article, I would like to say that while the “Christian” in the article did not properly share the Law and the Gospel with Ms. McAteer, at least she tried. Sadly, she was probably doing what she had been encouraged to do by her pastor, church, or the latest evangelism book she read—just tell people that Jesus loves them and be friendly when you do it. But at least she made an effort, which is more than can be said for the vast majority of those who profess to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Following Ms. McAteer’s article will be two comments posted on the paper’s website, in response to the article. While I cannot discern the true condition of either person’s heart, the comments serve as a good contrast between true and false conversion.

Following the comments will be the comment I posted after the article, which also served as my “letter to the editor.”

Here is Erin McAteer’s article:

Touched by a Witness
By Erin McAteer
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: Perspectives

Recently, I had the pleasure to work at a local coffee shop (being a coffee junkie myself). I hadn't been so excited to work in well over two years. It was a prime opportunity to study people.

Little did I know that it would also be a test of my own patience and tolerance towards others.

I was working with one of the quieter employees one day. Nothing had gone wrong during that shift, as the customers were patient and complimentary. A woman walked in and ordered a simple drink. I wear a wolf pendant around my neck, a creature highly symbolic to me and to my beliefs. The woman, upon seeing my pendant, asked what it was. For a brief second, I forgot where I was - the Bible Belt. I blurted out, smiling, "My Spirit Guide, a wolf."

The woman was quiet for a second and then asked where I had learned of such a thing. I answered her questions calmly, excited that someone was curious about what I personally believed, though careful of wording because of possible resentment. After I had thoroughly explained, I turned to the next customer. My fellow employee nodded his head to the end of the counter where this woman was still standing. She held her cup, pondering a decision. As I approached her, she flipped her hair back, broadened her stance and smiled patronizingly.

"You know that Jesus loves you. That he's the light of this world and that he's done so much for you. I've been so happy since I've let him in my life. He's not forgotten about you."

I froze. I had heard this speech before many times in my life (I didn't grow up in a religious household but was always asked the question of faith and was told that Jesus loved me - I got that). I remained quiet, mentally counting and allowing her to talk. Acknowledging that her message had been delivered, she finally smiled and left.

Little did I know that this was just the beginning.

Later that night, the same women was standing in line behind some of the regulars. Except this time, she wasn't empty-handed. She held a bag from LifeWay Christian Stores. As she approached the counter, she pulled a book from the bag and handed it to me. A Bible. "I don't hope that you think this is too presumptious, but I wanted to help shed some light in your life. I marked Matthew for you to start reading."

I tasted blood in my mouth from biting my tongue. I took the book calmly and watched her walk out. Shortly thereafter, I went into the back hallway and screamed.

Generally, I'm a really laid back person. I believe that everyone can practice whatever they want, in any way that they want. It's part of freedom of speech and religion. It was the final straw for me though.

I just have a simple question: What makes people think that others need to be saved? Because they're different? Who the #*&@ sits around and thinks that they have to go around saving people? From personal experience, humans tend to be quite curious creatures and if they want, they can explore the various things that intrigue them. There's no need to go knocking on any doors and declaring that one is there to save another.

Head's up - I don't have a religion. I'm so scattered with my beliefs that if I could, I'd form something. One can call it spiritual, but honestly, it's just my own faith in the world that's around me. I don't believe in a hell or a heaven. I don't believe in purgatory, and I don't believe in "One Power." If that classifies me as a heathen, oh well. I don't need for someone to declare that I need to have light shed in my life. I'm functioning quite well as I'm sure a good many others are as well in this world.

The close-mindedness is astonishing to me as well. People actually think they're doing good when they go out and buy a book for someone to read. I'm not in danger - I'm not in dire need of another book. I'm not the least bit curious about it, I've got many friends who've actually calmly (and nicely) sat down with me and explained why they believe what they believe. It doesn't work for me, and I don't want it. Simple. I don't go around declaring that my beliefs should be followed. It's ignorance and annoying when one is constantly heard of how he or she is damned. And what the #*&@ does it mean when others can't sit down and hold a respectable conversation about their beliefs? I'm one for sitting down with various peoples and discussing how religion does and doesn't work. As of now, it just seems to be about recruitment and who can get more followers. It's disgusting when people go around with blank looks on their faces and declare that they've been touched by the light and want to reform others.

I didn't ask to be "saved." So do everyone a favor: Keep your #*&@ mouth shut and practice tolerant.

Comments:

Drew Lewis
posted 10/04/07 @ 12:09 AM CST

I feel the need to apologize. Being a Christian, I can understand where the heart of this woman was in talking to you. I can even understand the "Jesus loves you" speech, seeing as how we are in the bible belt south. I am apologizing in regard to the gross infringement on your right as an American that this individual committed. I apologize because there will always be those that take religion so far and so literally as to force their own beliefs onto other people, as was done to you in this instance. Even from the Christian standpoint, talking to you at first and mentioning Jesus was all that is ever mentioned in any bible I have ever read as far as 'spreading the word.' Unfortunately, this person decided that injecting her own beliefs into your world, showing not only a basic lack of decency, but a complete lack of respect for your beliefs. Please accept my apology, as well as my thanks for having the courage to stand for what you believe in against those that would change you.

Jenny
posted 10/04/07 @ 10:52 PM CST

As a Christian myself, I don't think that there is any need to apologize for the act of this woman. Every person takes their spirituality, religion, or belief in a different way than another. That's what makes us different, how we believe. Some people feel called to try and go that extra step, some don't. To the writer of the original article, you were very gracious, not many care to stop and listen. To the Christian that apologized for the lady in the story, why? What makes you feel you need to apologize? It wasn't your sin and I as a Christian don't feel compelled to apologize for someone trying to spread the word. Quite frankly, the lady from the story stood up for what she believes in. How many people really do that in our modern world?

~~~~~

Dear Erin,

I read your article with great interest. Like, Drew (1st comment), I would like to apologize to you; but for an entirely different reason. Drew’s response says a great deal about his so-called “Christian” faith; but more on that later. No, I do not apologize for the lady who contacted you, told you that Jesus loves you, and then gave you a Bible. I apologize because she presented her faith in such a way as to make it seem like foolishness to you. Where the lady who contacted you missed the mark is that she never bothered to tell you why you need a Savior. Unfortunately, the lady who contacted you (who apparently cares more about where you will spend eternity than Drew does) offered you the cure, without first telling you about the disease.

Erin, by reading your article I would assume you consider yourself to be a good person. Allow me to ask you a few questions to see if that’s true. Please try to answer them honestly. Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything (the value doesn’t matter)? Have you ever taken God’s name in vain: meaning you used His holy name as a curse word, or used it flippantly or carelessly? Have you ever looked at another person and had a lustful thought? Jesus said, “Everyone who looks at a woman [or man] with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:28). Have you ever harbored anger, bitterness, resentment, or even hatred in your heart (kind of like the intolerance you expressed in your article toward the woman that talked to you)?

If you answered yes to the above questions, then you are just like me. You are guilty of breaking God’s Law. You have sinned against Him. By your own admission, you are not a good person. You are a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterous, murderer at heart. Yes, a murderer, too. “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15). And, by your own admission in your article, you are an idolater. You have fashioned a god in your imagination—one to suit yourself—one that does not exist. You have made the conscious decision to follow a wolf instead of the One, True God who gave you life.

You may be thinking right now that you don’t believe any of this. You might even be angry. Although I don’t know you and I will likely never meet you, I care too much about you to worry about you being angry with me.

Erin, it really doesn’t matter what you believe. What matters is whether or not what you believe is true. One day you will stand before Almighty God, whether you believe it or not. And He will judge you, not according to how you see yourself, but against the perfect, holy standard of His Law. “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). If He finds you guilty of breaking His Law, being a good God and Judge, He will sentence you to eternity in hell. “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).

But there is a cure for the disease called sin. Not only is God holy, righteous, and just; but He is also loving, merciful, and kind. God came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ—fully God and fully Man, without sin. He lived a perfect life and died a horrible, bloody death on the cross to take upon Himself the punishment you rightly deserve for violating God’s Law. The Just died for the unjust. The Sinless One died for the sinful. Three days later He rose from the dead, and forever defeated death.

Sadly, like so many others who claim to be Christians, Drew contradicts the very words of Jesus. Jesus said, “The time if fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Contrary to Drew’s words of false encouragement to you, your only hope is not to courageously stand for what you believe (namely, a wolf for a spirit guide). Your only hope is to repent (turn from your sin) and, by faith, receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. The promise is that if you repent and believe the gospel, when you stand before God, instead of receiving what you deserve for breaking God’s Law—eternity in hell; you will receive what you don’t deserve—God’s grace and mercy and the free gift of everlasting life. I’m not talking about religion, here. I’m talking about a relationship with the only God who can save your life.

Erin, you mention in your article that you don’t want or need to be saved—that you’re not in danger. Try applying that mindset to your physical life. If you ever find yourself drowning, will you convince yourself that you’re not in danger—that you don’t need to be saved? The next time you have need to call 9-1-1, will you instead hang-up the phone having convinced yourself that you’re not in danger—that you don’t need to be saved? Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it. Of course you would do whatever necessary to save your physical life, because on some level you value your life. I would hope that you would care more for your soul, which is eternal, than your physical l life, which is but a vapor.

One last thing: your alleged belief in a wolf for a spirit guide actually serves to prove the authenticity of the Bible, not refute the truth it contains.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures” (Romans 1:18-23).

Erin, there is only one Mediator between God and Man, and it is not a wolf. He is the Lord Jesus Christ. Again, your only hope is to turn from your sins and receive Him as your Lord and Savior. I share these things with you because I care about you and I do not want to see you spend eternity in hell. I hope you consider these things. You are in my prayers.

Ten-Four Ministries Challenge Coin

During WWI pilots carried medallion coins with them as a show of respect, loyalty, oath, & camaraderie for their unit. This tradition came about after a pilot was shot down, captured, escaped, & then thought to be a spy at the front lines where they were going to execute him. The only ID the pilot had to prove his identity was his coin, which saved his life. Ninety years later this tradition still continues. Soldiers, police officers, fireman & paramedics risk their lives everyday for our safety. They carry their coin as a personal token symbolizing this devotion & allegiance to their unit (Taken from the Sunshine Sports $ Marketing website).

Challenge Coins are not only popular in the military community, but they are also becoming increasingly popular in the first responder community (police & fire). Since the first minting of the Ten-Four Challenge Coin in August, I have given away more than 250 of the coins to police, fire, and military personnel. It has served as an encouragement to Christians in these communities, as well as a means of putting the Law and the Gospel into the hands of members of these communities. All who have received the coin thus far have been blessed by the gift.

Each coin comes in a clear vinyl case, which includes an insert. The insert serves as a gospel tract. Here's the text of the insert:

~~~~~

With the gift of this Challenge Coin comes the ultimate challenge.

The Ten Commandments are the standard by which God will judge every person. If you look into the mirror of God’s Law, you will see yourself as God sees you—as one who has broken His Law. “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all” (Jas. 2:10). God, being a righteous and holy Judge, must punish sin. “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23a). If God finds you guilty of breaking His Law, He will sentence you to eternity in hell, as the just punishment for your sins against Him.

God is also merciful and kind. He has provided the only means of escape from His just wrath. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16). Jesus, God in the flesh, the sinless Lamb of God, died on the cross, taking upon Himself the death sentence you deserve for your sins against God. Three days later He rose from the dead, forever defeating death.

Your only hope is to repent (turn away from your sins) and, by faith, place your trust in Jesus Christ alone to save you. “The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23b).

May this coin serve to remind you of the ultimate challenge. Whom shall you serve and where will you spend eternity? The person who gave you this coin cares about you and is praying you will repent and believe in the gospel.

~~~~~

On the front of the beautifully crafted, 1 3/4" dia. coin (shown above), designed by Randy Hayes of Sunshine Sports & Marketing, the cross of Christ is of first importance, placed in the center of a law enforcement star. Around the lower half of the outside edge is a portion of 2 Corinthians 10:4, which reads, "The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful."

On the back of the coin (shown to the left) you will find the Law of God--The Ten Commandments. Around the outside edge is Romans 10:4, which reads: "For Christ is the goal of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes."

This Challenge Coin is proving to be so popular that I've decided to make it available for purchase.

Your purchase of the Ten-Four Challenge Coin will not only help in our efforts to bring the gospel to the law enforcement community and beyond, but your purchase will also help to support Ten-Four Ministries financially, with the additional resources going toward projects like, the 10-33 Fund, the Take Up The Shield Project, gospel tract publication, minting more Challenge Coins, and general support for the ministry and the Miano Family.

The cost of the Ten-Four Challenge Coin is $10.00. This price includes first class shipping and handling (a $2.00 value) anywhere in the United States. The coin will be available at a reduced rate for those who wish to purchase the coin in larger quantities.

Minting this beautiful coin is an expensive project. So, before ordering the next minting, I would like to have an idea of the level of interest among you, the readers of The Centurion Papers and members of the Ten-Four Ministries family. If you think you would order one or more coins for yourself and/or to use as an evangelism tool, please e-mail me at:

info@tenfourministries.org

Please write "Challenge Coin" in the subject line. When I receive your e-mail, I will give you payment and shipping options, as well as pricing for multiple coin orders.

I hope you will see, as I do, that the Ten-Four Challenge Coin is an effective evangelism tool and a token of appreciation and respect that members of the first responder and military communities will not soon forget.

Those of you who have already received the Ten-Four Challenge Coin as a gift, please share your thoughts about the coin here, by posting your comments.

"I See Dead People" (New Tract--Coming Soon!)

Here's our latest tract. Leon Brown had the idea and formatted the tract. Alex Persegona came up with the artistic design. And I provided the text. While we believe this will be an effective tract year-round, we also believe this will be a great tract to hand out around Halloween. Give the kids and parents who come to your door more than candy. Give them the Law and the Gospel.

The tract will be available soon at the EvangelismTeam website.

Here's the text:

~~~~~

“I want to tell you my secret now.” “Okay.” “I see people. I see dead people. Some of them scare me.” “Dead people, like in graves and coffins?” “No, walking around, like regular people. They can’t see each other. Some of them don’t know they’re dead.” It is one of the most memorable scenes in the movie, The Sixth Sense. While the movie is a suspense thriller based on an imaginary story, the scene contains an important truth. “Some of them don’t know they’re dead.” Millions of people presently walking upon the face of the earth are dead and they don’t realize it. You may be one of them. To find out if you are among the living or the dead, honestly answer the following questions. Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen something, no matter how small or insignificant? Have you ever committed murder in your heart by harboring anger, bitterness, or hatred toward someone? Have you ever taken God’s name in vain? Then, by your own admission, you are a lying, thieving, murdering, blasphemer at heart. You are guilty of breaking God’s Law (The Ten Commandments). Not only does God see you as guilty; He also sees you as dead in your trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). Finding you guilty of breaking His Law, he will sentence you to eternity in hell, as the just punishment for your sins against Him. “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). The good news is that God doesn’t want to send you to hell. So, He sent His sinless Son, Jesus Christ—God in the flesh. He took upon himself the punishment you rightly deserve for your sins against God when He shed His innocent blood and died on the cross. Three days later, He defeated death when He rose from the grave. So, what must you do to be saved? Recognize that you cannot save yourself and escape God’s judgment. Confess your sins against God. Repent (turn away from your sins) and put your trust and faith in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. You will pass from death into life and receive the free gift of eternal life. Please consider these things carefully. When you stand before God, you do not want to be counted among the dead; but those who have received the free gift of eternal life that only He can give.